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Tuesday, April 15, 2014

Trail Review: Montgomery Bell Overnight Trail

Creech Hollow Lake

Trail:
Montgomery Bell Overnight Trail

Location: Montgomery Bell State Park; Burns, TN

Trail Length: 10.4 Miles

Difficulty: Easy to Moderate

Solitude: Moderate

Less than an hour’s drive from the
proudly booming town of Nashville, Montgomery Bell State Park has provided an
easily accessible refuge from the constant jackhammer rattles of new condo
developments, hand-infused coffee boutiques, and the ever-rumbling engines of
yacht-sized pickup trucks driven by the corollary building contractors who have
euphorically occupied my once humble neighborhood. My girlfriend and I have
spent many a weekend car-camping, backpacking, or simply day hiking at this
well-managed, popular park. Despite the frequent visits, however, I had never
hiked the “official” 10-plus mile Overnight Loop Trail in succession. With beautiful weather forecast and spring blossoms popping up everywhere, I decided
it was time to cross this one off the list last weekend.

Wildcat Shelter

The Overnight Trail offers three rustic,
tin-roofed shelters built from log and mortar, each with a nice fire pit area, sitting benches, and water access nearby. I chose to stay in the Wildcat shelter, which
is my favorite because it sits just above the junction of two creeks with the
small and charming Lake Acorn only a few hundred yards or so behind it. The
shelter is only 1.5 miles from the park office, and I chose to take this very
short route for my hike in, leaving me almost nine miles to hike out the following
day. Other routes are available for this and the other two shelters if one
wishes to more equally split the mileage over two days.

Ebony after a dip in Lake Acorn

The overnight loop provides consistent
and very pleasant scenery throughout. The elevation changes are modest but
frequent offering a nice, rolling rhythm to the trek. Creeks born of natural
springs snake in and out of the hike with multiple water crossings, so be sure
to wear proper footwear in colder temperatures (though modestly agile hikers
could probably cross them without getting wet during most months.) Spring wildflowers were just beginning to
bloom during my visit with redbuds, dogwoods, and violets dotting the landscape
throughout. Waterfowl are ever-present giving my dog many opportunities for
futile chases of geese and duck. A snake slithered away from my careless
tromping feet as I was wading in one of the creeks, and a small toad paid me a
luxurious and patient visit as I was taking photographs by Creech Hollow Lake
(though he cautiously stayed in a dark shadow by my backpack, eluding a decent
camera exposure.) Speaking of this area, Creech Hollow Lake is only visible
from one point of the Montgomery Bell trail, and I suggest taking a side trek
down the Creech Hollow Trail (orange blaze) if time permits. The lake and
bordering trail offer some of the nicest views in the park as well as the best spots for picnics or
other respite. So, if you're a Nashville resident who, like me, sometimes tires of the manically unceasing, self-satisfied energy of a city on the rise, Montgomery Bell offers an easy getaway, though you might have to sacrifice the convenience of artisanal cheese shops and vintage denim clothiers for a couple of days.

Four dogs on the fire and a fifth waiting patiently.

Lake Acorn at first morning light

The sun reflects into a backlit creek along the trail.

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Be Safe

Backpacking, hiking, and outdoor adventures always involve some inherent risk. Be sure to take necessary precautions, research the specific risks involved with your destinations and activities, and consult experts (park rangers, outfitters, etc.) for in-depth local knowledge.